Cabinet-frame clamp



No. 625,482. Patented may 2a, |899.

o. H. L. wEnNlcKE. Y CABINET FRAME CLAMP.

{No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

ML y

THE NGRmS PETERS CO PHQTCLLXTNO, WASHINGTON, D. C.

No. 625,482. Patented'May'-23', |899. 0. H. L. WERNICKE. CABINETFRAME CLAMP.

(Application mea mr. 17, 189s.)

'4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

[No Model.)

1H: Neways paens co, How-mno.. v/Asnwnfcm u c.

Patented May 23, |899.

o. H. L. wEnNlcKE. CABINET FRAME GLAMP. v

(Application -iled Mar. 17, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

@lo Model.)

No. 625,482.- Patented May 2s, |899. 0. H. L. WERNICKE.

CABINET FRAME CLAMP.

(Application ld Mar. 17, 1898.) A (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' bodying myinvention.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO H. L. VVERNICKE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

CABINET-FRAME CLAMP.

. SPECIFICATION formingl part of Letters Patent No. 625,482, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed March l '7, 1 8 9 8- TO @ZZ whom, t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, OTTO H. L. WERNICKE, of Grand Rapids, county of Kent, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cabinet-Framing Clamps, of which the followingr is a specification.

My invention relates to machines wherein the several parts of crates or boxes may be placed while being secured together; and the objects of the invention are to provide means for clamping, preferably, the ends of a crate or box to hold the same securely while the other parts are bein g nailed, screwed, or otherwise secu red thereto, to the end that the parts composing the back, bottom, and top will occupyin each crate the same relative position with respect to the ends and will when secured together form crates of uniform size irrespective of variations in the dimensions of the parts or the warping of the material composing the same, and, further, to provide adjustable clamping devices to permit the parts of crates or boxes of different sizes to be placed in the machine and secured together.

The invention consists in a suitable frame, clamping-jaws supported by said frame and adapted to lock therein, and means for opening and closing said jaws.

Further, Athe invention consists in providing clamping-jaws having both a rocking movement in a supporting-frame and a longitudinal movement in their bearings.

Further, the invention consists in providing means in connection with said jaws whereby the proper position of the several parts composing the back, bottom, and top of the crate or box with respect to the ends may be determined.

Further, the invention consists in providing means in connection with said jaws whereby the proper position of interior partitions may be determined.

Further, the invention consists in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of a cabinet-frame clamp em- Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the machine, the various Serial No. 674,168. (No model.)

positions which a crate or box assumes during the process of nailing being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a perspective of a completed crate. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clamping-jaws when open. Fig. 5 is a simi lar view with the jaws closed. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and l0 are detail sectional views showing the various steps and the positions of a crate during the process of fastening the parts to'- gether. Fig. 1l is a section of a completed crate. Fig. l2 is a detail of a modified form of clamp for use in determining the position of interior partitions.

In the drawings, 2 represents the frame of the machine, which may be of wood or iron, if preferred, and preferably ofthe rectangular form shown. On the top of the frame 2, at each end thereof, are standards 3, having bearings S'at their upper ends to receive the ends of the exteriorly-threaded rock-shaft 4, upon which two or more clamps are mounted, each comprising normally stationary jaws 5 5, alternating in position. on the shaft with sliding jaws 6 6. The stationary jaws are held in position on the shaft by lock-nuts 7 and 7 and 8, andl one of the stationary jaws bears at one end against the bearing 3, as shownin Figs. 4 and 5. The lock-nuts 7 7 and 8 may be moved back and forth along the shaft et, thereby permitting the adjustment of the stationary jaws in any desired posi-tion to enable the operator to clamp the parts of the different-sized crates during the process of securing them together. These lock-nuts not only serve to hold the jaws in position upon the rock-shaft, but also regulate the movement of the sliding jaws toward the stationary jaws, and as the nuts correspond substantially in thickness to the thickness that it is desired to make the end parts of a crate the operator is able to determine whether the parts placed between the jaws are of proper thickness without the necessity of making any measurements, for should an end part be. placed between the jaws and prove to be considerably thicker than the collars or lock-nuts the operator would lind it difficult or impossible to move the locking or cam lever past the center, and, on the other hand, if the material was thinner than the collars the end part would be loose in the jaws, and in either case the operator would at once discover that IOO the material was defective before it was worked into a crate. The jaws ,6 6 are slidably arranged upon the rock-shaft 4 and are prevented from swinging thereon by a -sliding key or spline 6', or in any other suitable way. To aid in moving the sliding jaws upon the rock-shaft, I provide curved links 14 and 14', having their inner ends connected, respectively, to lugs or ears 13" and 13' upon the inner stationary and sliding jaws of the clamps. The outer ends of said links are connected, respectively, to locking cam-links 15 and 15', which are in turn pivotally connected to lugs or ears 15"' and 15" upon the outer sliding and stationary jaws of the clamp. When these locking-levers are operated, the sliding jaws will be moved back and forth upon the rock-shaft in the same direction to open o'r close the jaws, and when the jaws are nearly closed the pivotal point between the operating parts will pass over the center, thereby locking` the jaws-together without the necessity of using a ratchet or similar mechanism. The alternate arrangement of the jaws permits a crate to be readily removed from the machine, which could not be done if the machine were constructed with both inside or outside jaws stationary, owing to the pressure of the the stationary jaws against the ends of the crate. Y

Both the stationary and sliding jaws are provided, preferably, with grooved or corrugated faces, as shown in Fig. 1, one of the jaws in each clamp being provided with a bracket 11, having a shoulder or stud 12 projecting laterally therefrom and resting upon a block 13, arranged upon the top of the frame beneath the clamps and adapted to hold the clamps in a substantially horizontal position while v the parts are being placed therein preparatory to fastening them together. Adjustably secured to the inside jaws, as shown in Fig. 1, are blocks 16, having shoulders 17 to receive the edges of the slat that is to be nailed t to the endsjof the crate to enable the operator to determine the exact position which the slat should occupy with reference to the ends to which it is to be nailed.

At one end of the shaft 4 is a lever 18, carp rying an adjustable weight 19,said lever being adapted to engage a catch 20, which is actuated by a strap-spring 2l,secured to the frame 2. A pivoted arm 22 is provided on the frame of the machine in position to be controlled the screws or bolts 24, such as a head with a transverse opening to receive a rod or bar for operating the screw, to raise or lower the platform 25; but other means may be employed, if desired.

At the rear of the machine upon standards 27 and 2S are telescoping ways 29, arranged transversely upon the machine and carrying a nail-receptacle 30, having legs `or standards 3l, secured to the sliding sections of the ways 29. A link 32 pivotally connects the nail-receptacle with a stud 33 upon a lever 34, that is clamped to the shaft4 between the clamping-jaws or at either end of said shaft outside of said jaws.

For use in determining the proper position of longitudinal shelving in a crate I may pro-A vide the inside jaws with parallel slots 36, Fig. l2, to receive the shelving and hold the same in proper position while being secured in a crate. Suitable templets may be provided upon the rock-shaft between the jaws to be used in determining the proper spacing between pigeonholes when it is desired to tit up a box or crate in that way.

W'hen it is desired to secure the parts of the crates together, the ends are placed within the clamps, and by means of the cam-levers 15 and 15' the sliding jaws are moved along the 'shaft until the ends of the crate are firmly clamped in position and any warp or twist that may exist in the material removed. The operator then places a slat upon the upper edge of the end parts and, aided by the guides 16, determines exactly the proper position of the slat, so that the slat of each crate will occupy the same relative position with reference to the endswhen the crates are completed. The slat is then nailed to the ends, and thev clamping-'jaws are then raised to the position shown in Fig. 7, when the lever 18 Willengage the catch 2O and hold the crate and jaws in an elevated position while the back of the crate is being fastened in place. This being done, the operator, by means of the lever 22, disengages the catch 2O from the lever 18 and roo permits the shaft 4 to rock, carrying with it Y f the clamping-jaws to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, when the upper edges of said jaws rest upon the blocks 26, as shown in said figure. Slats forming the bottom of said crate may then be nailed in position upon the ends and the crate completed. During the process of nailing the parts together the nail-receptacle 30 being connected with the rocking shaft 4 will be moved back and forth with the sliding sections of the ways 29, adj usting itself automatically to the dierent positions of the crates, so that it will always be within easy reach of the operator.

By means of the vertically-adj ustable platform at the rear of the machine the ends of crates of different sizes may be placed in the clamping-jaws and the top and bottom slats nailed thereto while the ends, during the process of nailing, are maintained in a substantially horizontal position,as indicated in the figures showing the different positions of the crate while the parts are being fastened together. The advantages of this device lie in the fact that the slats forming the tops and -bottoms of a series of interlocking crates may I IO be secured to the ends in their proper position without any measurements being taken by the operator preparatoryto nailing the parts together. This of course greatly facilitates the work of nailing up the crates, and as the slat at the top of each crate fits into the space between the two slats on the bottom of the superimposed crate it is very important that these slats should occupy the same relative position in each crate with reference to the ends; otherwise when the crates are placed one above another to form a bookcase the slats either would not interlock easily or would fit soloosely as to render the bookcase extremely unstable and unsafe. Further, as each crate or box is provided at either end with a device for joining it to the abutting crate, it is of the utmost importance that the outside surfaces of the end pieces should be exactly uniform, in order that a perfect joint may be made between the ends of the abutting crates and the forward edges of the crates be in perfect alinement when the several crates are joined together to form a bookcase. The clamps being adjustable upon the rock-shaft ei permits the operator to place the end of crates of different lengths in the machine and lock them securely while the slats and back pieces are nailed thereto, and by the use of the lock-nuts or collars of uniform thickness uniform outside dimensions of the crates are insured, for these collars, as heretofore described, control the pressure upon the end parts of the crate, regulate the travel of the sliding jaws, and enable the operator without measuring to determine whether the material to be used is of suitable thickness.

l do not confine myself tothe use of two clamps upon the rock-shaft, as shown and described in this application, as it is obvious that a greater number may be used and that additional devices may be placed upon the shaft between the clamps to adapt the machin'e foruse in arranging shelving or pigeonhole-partitions within a crate, nor do I confine myself to the details of construction herein shown and described, as it is obvious that the same may be varied without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. Acabinet-frameclamp,comprisingasupporting-frame, a rock-shaft mounted therein, independently-operable clam ps carried by said shaft, each comprising a normally fixed and sliding jaw alternately arranged, means connecting, respectively, the fixed and sliding jaw of each clamp for moving the sliding jaw toward or from the fixed jaw and said clamps being adjustable upon said shaft to receive the parts of frames of different size.

2. A cabinet-frame clamp, comprising a frame, a rock-shaft mounted thereon, normally fixed and sliding jaws alternately arranged upon said shaft, said jaws being partially revolublc with said shaft and adjustable thereon, means for moving said sliding jaws toward or from said fixed jaws, and means for limiting the travel of the former toward the latter and for locking the normally-fiXed jaws when adjusted upon said shaft.

3. A cabinet-frame clamp, comprising a frame,a threaded rock-shaft mounted therein, clamps comprising normally fixed and sliding jaws alternately arranged upon said shaft, means for operating the sliding jaws to move the same toward or from the fixed jaws of the respective clamps, lock-nuts 7 provided on said shaft between the fixed and sliding jaws of the respective clamps, to aid in retaining the fixed jaws in position and to limit the travel of the sliding jaws toward said fixed jaws, substantially as described.

4. A cabinet-frame clamp comprising a supporting-frame, clamps mounted therein, .each comprising a normally fixed and sliding jaw alternately arranged, said clamps being adj ustable to or from each other, partially revoluble and independently operable.

5. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps adjustably arranged upon said shaft and adapted to describe a partial revolution therewith, each clamp comprising alternately xed and sliding jaws, links 14 and 11i pivotally connected to alternate jaws, and camlevers l5 and l5' pivotally connected to the remaining jaws and to said links, substantially as described.

(i. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a threaded rock-shaft mounted in bearings thereon, clamps independently and adjustably arranged upon said shaft, each clamp comprising a normally fixed and a sliding jaw alternately arranged, independent means for moving said sliding jaws toward or from the fixed jaws of the respective clamps, and lock-nuts arranged upon said shaft to limit the travel of the sliding jaws toward the fixed jaws and control the adjustment of the clamps upon said shaft.

7. Acabinet-frame clamp comprisingasupporting-frame, clamps mounted therein, each comprising a normally fixed and sliding jaw alternately arranged, means for moving said sliding jaws toward or from said fixed jaws, and said clamps being adapted to describe a partial revolution to permit access to the sides and bottom of the cabinet or crate without removing the same from the clamps, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted thereon, clamps comprising normally fixed and slidable jaws arranged upon said shaft and adapted to make a partial revolution therewith, means for operating the sliding jaws to and from the fixed jaws of the respective clamps, and means for locking the clamps in an upright position during their partial revolution, substantially as described. l

9. The combination, with a supporting- IOO IOS

IIO

frame, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps arranged at intervals upon said shaft and adapted to rock therewith, means for opening and closing said clamps, a platform provided at the rear of said frame, and means for raising and lowering said platform, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps arranged at intervals upon said shaft and adapted to rock therewith, said clamps comprising normally fixed and sliding menibers, means for operating said sliding members, to close and open said clamps, and an adjustable guide or block carried by said jaws and projecting above the upper edge thereof, for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps arranged at intervals upon said shaft, means for opening and closing said clamps, a nail-receptacle supported in guides upon said frame, a lever 34 upon said shaft and a link pivotally connecting said lever and said nailreceptacle, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination, with a supportingframe, of a rock-shaft mounted in bearings thereon, clamps arranged at intervals upon said shaft, each comprising a normally fixed and slidingmember alternately arranged, the lock-nuts upon opposite sides of said fixed member, the links 14 and 14 alternately connected with said fixed and sliding members, the cam-levers 15 and 15 alternately connected with said fixed and sliding members and with said cam-links 14' and 14', face-plates carried by said jaws, the blocks 13, the vertically-adj ustable platform at the rear of said frame and the blocks 26 carried by said platform opposite said blocks 13, for the purpose set forth.

13. A cabinet-frame clampcomprisn g a supporting-frame, clamps mounted therein each comprising a normally fixed and sliding jaw alternately arranged, means for moving said sliding jaw toward or from said fixed jaw,

and said clamps being adapted to describe a f partial revolution to permit access to the sides and bottom of the cabinet or crate without removing the same from the clamps, and said clam ps being also adj ustably supported within said frame toward or from each other to permit the construction of cabinets of dierent size, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with a supportingframe, of clamps mounted in rocking bearings therein, each clamp comprising a fixed and sliding member alternately arranged, means for opening and closing said clamps, and the inside jaws of said clamps being provided with parallel slots, for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination, with the supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps arranged upon said shaft and having a partial revolution therewith, means for opening and closing said clam ps, said clamps normally resting upon said frame at the limit of their travel in one direction, and a verticallyadjustable mechanism for supporting saidclamps at the limit of their travel in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the supportingframe, of a rock shaft mounted therein, clamps arranged at intervals upon said shaft and comprising alternately fixed and sliding jaws, means for operating said sliding jaws to open and close said clamps, said clamps being adapted to perform a partial revolution with said shaft, a lever 18, a catch 20 to engage said lever during the rocking of said shaft, a spring 21, a rod 23 and an arm 22 connected to said rod, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of February, A. D. 1898.

OTTO H. L. lVERNICKE.

In presence of- NAN A. RYAN, HUGH E. WILSON. 

